How Fermin Aldeguer responded when asked if he had a better junior career than Pedro Acosta

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Fermin Aldeguer has gradually improved throughout his rookie MotoGP campaign and is now capable of competing for podiums at many events.

The Murcian rider has managed two podiums for Gresini and has gradually picked up his pace on the GP24 bike. At the start of the season, it looked as though teammate Alex Marquez comfortably held the measure over him, but that gap has narrowed significantly.

Aldeguer’s next milestone is to win a MotoGP race, which he has a strong opportunity to achieve, all the while he’s on a Ducati machine. His chances for 2026 recently took a bit of a hit after a decision was taken which will end up benefiting Marquez.

Ducati have backed out of a ‘commitment’ to give him a factory GP26 bike in 2026, meaning he will receive the GP25, which has struggled at times this season. Aldeguer has also changed his mind about Valentino Rossi’s offer to join VR46, and believes that waiting for the factory team to come knocking was the right move.

READ MORE: Some Ducati staff privately think one rider is capable of beating Marc Marquez in a ‘straight fight’

Fermin Aldeguer thinks Pedro Acosta had a better junior career than him before MotoGP

Aldeguer has an ‘advantage’ over Marc Marquez after going through plenty of data in 2025, and it’s something which was proven partially at the Austrian Grand Prix. He thinks he is stronger than the rest of the grid during the closing stages of races.

The Spaniard is currently on course to achieve an eighth-place finish, which would be a very strong showing for a rookie, but there are still seven rounds to go, where he will have to work hard if he is to remain ahead of the likes of Fabio Quartararo, Johann Zarco, and Brad Binder.

At times this year, a burning rivalry with KTM’s Pedro Acosta has been witnessed on track. They haven’t collided, but it’s well-known that the two do not like each other. Aldeguer has now confirmed to Moto.it, which of them he thinks had a better junior career.

“Surely him,” he said. “He has won more championships, the Mini GP championship, the 110 and even the Rookies Cup that I didn’t do. I won others that he wasn’t there to run with me, but when we ran together, but I was one of those who p—– him off.”

READ MORE: How Fermin Aldeguer’s best time compared to Valentino Rossi at Mugello promotional event

Why do Fermin Aldeguer and Pedro Acosta not get on well?

A lack of friendship between these two riders stems from an intense rivalry throughout their younger years, well before MotoGP. They’re from the same part of Spain, and for that reason, losing was always going to hurt the pride of one rider.

The problem remains that they’re both still under the age of 22. In other words, this could be just the start of one of the championship’s fiercest ever brawls. Rossi missed out on Acosta for 2026, which could have seen the two on the same bike next year.

But with the majority of the grid out of contract at the end of next season, it looks as though there’s still a chance they could have the same machinery in the future anyway.